SPECIAL MEETING - NOVEMBER 6, 2003

Chairman Papadakos called the meeting to order at 7:44 p.m. and announced that this Special Meeting was being held to discuss the proposed Operating Budget so that it could be submitted back to the Finance Department by November 12^th. He said that the official date for final approval is November 20, 2003; the budget goes into effect in July 2004.

Chairman Papadakos said that after completely reviewing the proposed budget he had one major concern. The salary shown for the Director position, $65,121 did not coincide with the salary range of $63,205 to $70,868 posted on the web site advertising that vacancy. He felt strongly that using the higher number would attract a more qualified candidate. Dr. Stabinsky said that since it was a preliminary budget, whatever the Commission agreed on might likely not be the final number set. Consequently it made very little sense for the commissioners to argue the point. Additionally he felt that if a strong contender was found to fill the vacancy, there was a good possibility that the proposed salary would be adjusted so as not to lose the person. Chairman Papadakos disagreed, saying that the stated salary is what would be offered to a candidate. Since the position is Union, the budget amount would be set in stone. Dr. Amodio said that there have been instances in the past when budget amounts for line categories were set, but other monies were available from a special fund. Mr. Kammerman asked where the additional money would come from; Dr. Amodio said that she did not know but emergency funds were sometimes available. Mr. Dupervil suggested finding out more about the hiring process; Chairman Papadakos said that the hiring process was not up for discussion at the special meeting.

Chairman Papadakos reiterated that he did not feel the budget was realistic, and that he did not want to show a negative at the end of the year by using a lower budget number than what the person would actually be paid. He said that by City ordinance, it was the Commission’s responsibility to set the salary for the Director and the Field Representative. Dr. Stabinsky said that he thought the Union set the salaries. He also thought that requesting the higher salary might set off "red" flags which would cause other budget items to come under closer scrutiny.

Dr. Grose said that she read the job description, and the Director’s position was an important and complex one. Setting the salary higher would leave room to negotiate during the interview process and be a buffer if cuts were needed. On that note, Dr. Amodio said that the vacancy would be filled at a lower salary than what the former Director was being paid. This was a savings to the City. Mr. Patterson agreed that there would be savings to the City over the previous budget; Chairman Papadakos said that this fact could not be taken for granted. Mr. Kammerman said that the Commission had nothing to lose by asking for the higher salary.

Mr. Patterson read a letter addressed to the Finance Director from Richard Booth, Chairman of the Fair Rent Commission, proposing to combine the budgets of Fair Rent and Human Relations because there was a workload overlap with the two commissions. The Director, the Field Rep and the bi-lingual secretaries often share responsibilities of both commissions because much of their work overlaps. Mr. Patterson said that Mr. Booth’s request was logical and he didn’t see a problem with it. It might be beneficial to both commissions. Chairman Papadakos said he did not think it was a good idea because the Human Relations Commission would not have full control over its own budget. Dr. Stabinsky agreed, saying that even if there was a workload overlap the two commissioners were separate entities and should operate as such, unless there was a charter revision made. He suggested that combining was not a good idea.

Chairman Papadakos said again that the Commission should agree to the higher number for salary; Dr. Amodio thought the lower number should be used. Dr. Stabinsky thought that if the higher number were requested by the Commission, it would be used as a tool against them. Chairman Papadakos said that using the lower number would hurt the Commission in the long run and that most likely the Commission would be asked to decrease the higher number anyway. Mr. Kammerman said that it sounded as if the Commission would be "punished" if they requested a higher salary than what was budgeted. He wondered why. Dr. Amodio said that it is a bad year for taxpayers. With some reluctance, the commissioners agreed to set the salary at $70,868 for the Director’s position, rather than what was presented in the budget. Therefore the 2005 pro forma amount would be $119,332 rather than $113,585. Chairman Papadakos said that he was certain the Commission would need to make further amendments after the budget was reviewed the first time.

The commissioners discussed the amount set for overtime. 2003’s actual was $3,084; Dr. Amodio thought that the proposed $1,670 should be increased since the person hired as Director will need to bring themselves up to speed. The commissioners suggested $4,814 as the budget amount for overtime.

Longevity in the amount of $525 should remain as it only applied to Mr. Patterson.

The commissioners agreed to increase the amount for postage to $500.

As it related to the amount set for printing, Mr. Patterson said that there was no expense anticipated. Dr. Amodio thought that if there were expanded activities, funds should be available. The commissioners agreed to the amount of $400 for printing.

The amount for typing services was agreed to at the stated $1,225. The commissioners discussed that they might want to have their meetings taped by the secretarial service, but decided against doing so because it was cost prohibitive. Agreement was reached that if the Commission wanted taped minutes, it would do so at its own discretion.

Mr. Patterson said that the amount set for subscriptions might vary if the services subscribed to increased in cost. Additionally, some journals and newspapers, as well as subscriptions, could be viewed on line. The commissioners agreed to leave the two line items for subscriptions at $360 and $1,700, respectively.

The commissioners agreed that the amount of $530 for memberships seemed reasonable. As it related to advertising, Mr. Patterson said that since advertising for the Director’s position came out of the Human Relations budget, the $1,251 set figure should remain as is. The fee for telephone meant long distance, and since the figure was realistic, the commissioners agreed to the budget figure of $660. Mr. Patterson suggesting leaving the amount of $500 set for furniture as is.

The commissioners questioned what Employee A and Business B meant. Mr. Patterson said that he did not know, but would check and advise at the next meeting. The commissioners agreed to leave the amounts in the budget as proposed.

Mr. Patterson said that seminars in the budget amount of $242 should remain. Regarding the amount of $772.70 in this year’s actual, Mr. Patterson said that it was the amount for fax, so $400 proposed in the budget should be fine. The commissioners agreed. Regarding the amount of $1,030 for supplies, Mr. Patterson and the commissioners agreed that it was a realistic number. Mr. Patterson said that he would check into the amount of other operating expenses, but most likely the amount was acceptable. Regarding insurance and worker’s comp amounts, Mr. Patterson said that these amounts are set by the City so there can be no deviation. The total budget approved by the Commission was $138,681.32

Mr. Patterson said that he wanted the commissioners to discuss the bullet points on his sheet of goals and objectives, and there would be slight changes from the previous year. Specifically regarding highlights, Mr. Patterson said that a Human Rights Day observance would be conducted at Columbus Magnet School on December 9; the same would be conducted at City Hall on December 10^th. He asked that "Revised Human Relations ordinances," "Conducted ADA awareness training for all City employees" and "Issued report on investigation of Brien McMahon High School 2001 yearbook complaints" be deleted. Additionally, Mr. Patterson said that the bullet point regarding the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Race Relations would be amended to read "Completed and updated review of the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Race Relations in Norwalk." Lastly under highlights, Mr. Patterson said that he would update the items in the last four bullet points to coincide with actual numbers. A 15-month period is covered. He said that there were two hearings held, one in September and one in November. He said that he offered mediation training but it was declined. Mr. Patterson said that he would send a revised sheet to the commissioners. Mr. Patterson said that he would put an asterisk with a note that the Director position was vacant for part of the fiscal year.

Regarding goals for the coming year, the date would change and Mr. Patterson said that he would put an asterisk with a note that the Director position would be filled. He said that he would look at the By-Laws, since those should be reviewed every two years. Dr. Stabinsky suggested that the word "continue" not be used as it related to "timely resolution of complaints," "public education seminars" and "expanding Human Rights observances." Additionally the commissioners suggested that Mr. Patterson pursue grant funding for education, seminars and training. Dr. Amodio felt strongly that public education should become a major focus; Mr. Patterson said that he would add as another goal "Expand public education initiatives." Dr. Stabinsky said that he wasn’t in agreement with adding that goal just yet since the commissioners didn’t have much of an opportunity to consider it.

The Commission set its next meeting date as November 20, 2003. The meeting ended at 9:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol A. Wiggins for

Telesco Secretarial Services

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